Hand tools of the nature of screw drivers, socket wrenches and the like



Dec. 17, 1963 Flled June 26 1961 A. T. JOHNSON 3,114,401 HAND TOOLS OF THE NATURE OF SCREW DRIVERS, SOCKET 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR W ||l|| I AL. 07 T Jaw/v.90

WRENCHES AND THE LIKE ATTORNEY Dec 17 1963 A T J v OHNSON 31144 1 HAND TOOLS OF THE NATURE OF SCREW DRIVERS,- socxm o WRENCHES AND THE LIKE Filed June 26. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR A1 07 T Jouuaou BY X4 4 ATTORNEY Shillihl iatenteel Dec. 17, 1963 3,114,401 HAN!) TOQLS (ll THE NATURE OF dCREW DRL'V- ERS, SOQKET WRENtCllES AND THE LIKE Algot T. Johnson, 2 York St, Jamestown, NY. Filed June 26, 1961, Ser. No. 119,612 1 Claim. (Cl. 145-50) This invention relates to hand tools of the nature of screw drivers, socket wrenches, etc. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the mounting structure for multiple tools by means of which any one of the tools may be positioned for use while the other tools are in stored position.

In the manufacture of quality tools or the general nature of the invention, it is considered essential to produce a device that is not only of rugged construction and easy to manipu ate, but available to the public at a price consistnt with the price of actual or potential competitors.

The present invention is therefore directed to and has for several of its many objects and advantages the provision of a multiple tool hand device wherein the various tools are selectively stored in the handle or extended beyond an end thereof into position of use. It is also considered of importance that the invention, in its entirety, consists of an extremely few number of parts, even when the device includes as many as four distinct tools. The ruggedness of the various parts of the device, together with the tool assembly and arrangement, is also of extreme importance inasmuch as it assures satisfactory long lift, even under conditions of hard usage.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood and appreciated from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of the device;

FIG. device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded elevational view of the handlecarried reversible and interchangeable tools;

FIG. 4 is a lengthwise sectional view of the handle an tool carrying sleeve and shows, in full lines, the concealed and exposed positions of four tools, such as screw drivers;

FIG. 5 is an end view or" the device, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1; 7

FIG. dis a transverse sectional view, taken substantially on the line 66 of PEG. 4 and shows the means for engaging the tool retaining sleeve with the handle;

FIG. 7 is a broken perspective view of the sleeve-like holder for the tools;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a modification of the device wherein socket type tools are carried by the handle; 7

FIG. 9 is a lengthwise sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end view, taken substantially on the line 1tl1ll of FIG. 9;

FlG. 11 is an elevational view of the socket tools shown in the handle in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a further modification of the device;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational View of the tools carried by the handle shown in FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG. 12, being taken substantially on the line 1% 14 of that figure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the refrence numeral 1% is employed to generally designate a hand tool device which, in the modification shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, inclusive, pertains to screw drivers of the Phillips and conventional types. The device consists 2 is an end view of the handle portion of the of a handle 11 having the usual lengthwise fiutings 12 by way of aiding in the grasp and manipulation thereof. One end 13 of the handle is closed, whereas the other end, taking the form of a neck portion 14, is open. The opening in the present instance, for convenience, is hexagonal, substantially as suggested by the numeral 16. As may be seen in FIG. 4, the opening 16 extends approximately two-thirds inwardly of the length of the handle, at which point is a shoulder 17. From the shoulder to adjacent the end 13, the opening is or" lesser diameter, as suggested at 18. Slightly inwardly of the enlarged collar 1) of the neck portion 14, substantially the distance shown in the drawing, a series of indents 21 are made in the flat surfaces that define the hexagonal opening 16.

Another portion of the device consists of a sleeve 22, the exterior of which is hexagonal end, of course, the size of this hexagonal sleeve is such that it will fit into the hexagonal opening 16 in the handle. Midway of the sleeve length is a solid portion 23 (see FIG. 4) and in this portion is mounted a conventional spring ball catch 24. The length of the sleeve 22 and the location of the catch 24 are such that the sleeve may be projected into the handle 11 to a point whereeither end thereof engages the shoulder 17 and, at the same time, the ball catch 24 engages one of the indents 21 in the handle. In other words, the sleeve is yieldingly held in interfitting engagement with the handle by the catch and indent and, at the same time, the sleeve is given lengthwise stability by reason or" its engagement with the shoulder 17. 0f course, it is also to be noted that since there is an indent 21 in each of the surfaces of the hexagonal opening of the handle, the sleeve neednot be precisely fitted win the exception of matching the hexagonal surfaces. The interior openings 26 of the sleeve extend from the sleeve ends to the central portion 23. The walls of these openlogs are hexagonal, although other multiple, fiat surfaced walls could be provided.

In the present modification of the invention, it is proposed to provide a dual tool 27 which consists of a hexagonal central portion 23, from opposite ends of which extend large and small screw driver blades 29 and 31, respectively. The size of the hexagonal portion 28 is such that it will project into either of the hexagonal end openings 26 of the sleeve 22.. Centrally of the portion 28 is a ball catch 32. Examination of FIGS. 3 and 4 will clearly indicate that either the large or small bladed end of the tool 27 may be projected into the sleeve 22 and, by reason of the ball catch and the hexagonal interfitting surfaces, the desired screw driver blade will be properly usable.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sleeve 22 is not only intended to contain a reversible dual screw driver, but it is also provided with a dual tool for Phillips screws, such as suggested at 33. This dual tool has a hexagonal portion 34 and ball catch 36. From the ends of the portion 34 extend large and small Phillips screw driver ends 3'7 and 33*, respectively. Of course, this dual tool is not only readily reversible, end for end, but may also be projected into the opposite end of the sleeve. in other words, four screw driver type tools are provided and it is immaterial with which end or in which position any one of these tools is engaged with the sleeve 22. This obviously greatly simplifies manipulation by a user in presenting a tool of his choice to a given piece of work. Furthermore, it is to be noted that not only is the sleeve well supported by the handle 11, but a substantial portion thereof extends beyond the neck 1 Thus it is possible, in the event one screw or another is dithcult to tighten or release, to apply a conventional end wrench to the exposed portion of the sleeve 2.2 to give necessary leverage for the purpose of loosening or tighten ng.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive, wherein a modification of the above described structure is shown. Herein a handle 39 is provided which is open at both ends. The openings terminate in a solid intermediate portion 41 and, due to the fact that the tools attached to the handle 39 are of the nature of sockets, the handle Openings are of different sizes. For example, the hexagonal opening 42 at one end of this handle is slightly larger than the hexagonal opening 43 at the other end thereof. As was shown with respect to handle 11, the openings 42 and 4-3 of handle 39 are provided with indents 44 in the fiat surfaces of the Walls of these openings. Large and small socket tools 46 and 47 are of the nature of hexagonal sleeves and have central solid portions 48 which separate the interior hexagonal openings that extend from opposite ends. As may be clearly seen in PEG. 9, tool 46 has an opening 49 at one end of slightly greater hexagonal size than the opening 51 at the other end. Tool 47 has an opening 52 which, although smaller than the opening 51, is larger than its companion opposite end opening 53. By reason of using the interiors of the sleeve-like tools 46 and 47 as sockets instead of merely receiving areas for the screw drivers previously described, it is evident that the device may provide, in combination with a handle, a four-way set of sockets. As was set out with respect to the sleeve 22 previously de' scribed, each of the tools 46 and 47 is equipped with a centrally located ball catch 54 that is mounted in the center solid portion 43. Consequently, regardless of which end of the tool is exposed for use, the other end abuts the central portion 41 of the handle 39 for endwise strength. Relative rotation is, of course, prevented by reason of the interfitting hexagonal portions, and in advertent withdrawal is deterred by the catches 54.

Attention is now directed to a further modification of the invention as disclosed in FIGS. 12 to 14, inclusive. Herein it is proposed to provide a dual tool of the nature of a conventional screw driver at one end and a Phillips type screw driver at the other. Between the ends of these tools is located a hexagonal base 56, in the lengthwise center of which is located a ball catch 57. A handle 58 has a hexagonal opening 59 therein which is sized to receive the base 56. This handle is, of course, also equipped with indents in the neck thereof, and since the length of each of the screw driver tools is identical, it is immaterial which tool is projected into the handle in order that the ball catch will engage one of the indents in the handle. This means of engagement prevents inadvertent displacement of either of the tools from the handle. Furthermore, it is pointed out that the length of the opening 59 is such that the end of either the conventional screw driver blade or the Phillips blade will abut the base of the handle. In other words, the handle supplies the endwise strength and support for use of the tool and the ball catch prevents inadvertent displacement.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that the various modifications shown and described have a common identity; namely, that the handle includes no pressed in or otherwise anchored metal fitting, but of itself creates end support for the manual mani ulation of the tool. Thus, by eliminating ditficult to install and anchor metal sleeves or bushings, the present invention utilizes the material of the handle itself not only for endwise support and stability, but for securement of a given tool. In other words, the present invention, by reducing the number of parts required for devices having interchangeable tools also so simplifies the structure of such devices as to decrease the cost of manufacture and improve ease of use or exchange of tools.

Although applicant has shown and described only three variations of his invention, it will be understood that other tools of the general nature shown and described may be assembled in the manner of the invention, and that such tools, with such assembly, are contemplated as being within the spirit and scope of the invention insofar as they are set out in the annexed claim.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

A hand tool comprising a handle having an opening extending in the direction of the length thereof, said opening having a hexagonal enlargement defined in cross section, by a series of identical connected fiat walls, each wall having a small indentation adjacent one end of the handle, an elongated sleeve member, the lengthwise surface of said member comprising connected uninterrupted flat surfaces of a number and relationship to enable slidable interfitting contact with the walls of said enlargement, a seat in said opening remote to its entrance and at the inner extemity of the enlargement engageable by one end of said elongated member and serving to limit the extent of insertion of the elongated member into said handle, a spring pressed catch midway of the length of one of said flat surfaces, said seat being located at a greater distance from the entrance to said opening than the distance from the catch to either end of said elongated member, said catch, when one end of said member abuts said seat, being frictionally engaged with one of said indentations to prevent inadvertent separation of the handle and sleeve member, a dual ended tool having a central portion with multiple flat sides corresponding to the fiat surfaces of said sleeve member so as to permit selective telescopic engagement therebetween with one end of the tool projecting outwardly from said sleeve member, and yielding means on said central portion for retaining said tool in engagement with said sleeve member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,756,003 North Apr. 22, 1930 2,378,775 Johnson June 19, 1945 2,658,766 Rock Nov. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 718,990 Great Britain Nov. 24, 1954 

